Platform engineering as a linchpin for next-gen healthcare technologies

Platform engineering is frequently seen as an evolution of DevOps, presenting significant opportunities to propel healthcare innovation forward. This method supports the swift rollout of new solutions that can greatly benefit both healthcare providers and patients by allowing for the quick scaling of new systems and software through automated cloud-based infrastructures.

More and more organizations are recognizing the value of platform engineering. It's vital for healthcare leaders to understand the role of platform engineers, how they collaborate with software and DevOps teams, and the broad benefits that this field contributes to the healthcare industry.

Understanding platform engineering

Platform engineers craft and oversee the foundational cloud-based technologies that form the backbone of software systems. They construct the services, pipelines, and infrastructure critical to supporting these systems from a software perspective. The platform's automation and self-service capabilities allow other IT professionals to deploy and manage software solutions effectively.

Platform engineering is not meant to replace DevOps or software engineering; rather, it serves as a supportive service that connects IT and developer teams. While developers and software engineers concentrate on developing end-user solutions, platform engineering enhances these efforts by incorporating sophisticated automation to improve the overall user experience.

The role of a platform engineer

A platform engineer designs the essential architecture that ensures software functions efficiently, such as aligning lip movements with speech in video or integrating a computer’s camera into a live stream. What might seem like a simple web interface is underpinned by far more complex technology. The platform team demystifies this complexity, enabling the user interface team to leverage the tools and infrastructure developed by the platform engineers.

A typical day for a platform engineer involves refining and advancing existing platforms, as well as creating new, more advanced technological solutions. Recognizing that technological setbacks are unavoidable, platform engineers also develop monitoring tools to oversee system performance and resolve any arising issues.

Comparing platform engineering to other similar professions

A platform engineer focuses on building the foundational technology that enables devices, such as computers, to download and run applications. In contrast, software engineers specialize in designing the individual applications themselves. For example, software engineers might develop a front-end video streaming application allowing a virtual sitter to switch between screens and interact directly with patients. Meanwhile, a platform engineer works on the underlying systems that manage and support the multiple video streams running across a hospital’s network, ensuring these systems are designed to facilitate the creation of user interfaces by software engineers.

Platform engineering enhances the development process by allowing developers to leverage established infrastructural practices. This not only automates processes but also promotes the reuse of existing tools, creating a flexible and shareable framework that developers can easily adopt and adapt.

Healthcare organizations collaborating with third-party platform providers often interact with the DevOps team. While platform engineers are responsible for building the infrastructure that supports the software, the DevOps team focuses on deploying this platform and maintaining its operational efficiency.

The DevOps team orchestrates software infrastructure, ensuring seamless deployments and the proper configuration of servers to meet the platform's operational demands. They play a crucial role in keeping hospital servers updated and operational.

Continuous system monitoring is another critical task handled by DevOps, which alerts platform engineers to any issues that need fixing. For instance, if overheating occurs in a data center, causing servers to fail, platform engineers are immediately tasked with orchestrating the necessary disaster recovery efforts.

Next-gen healthcare technologies

Many sophisticated technologies are blossoming, each designed to enhance the efficiency and quality of medical services and administrative processes.

These advanced systems are designed to centralize and streamline the management of diverse functions ranging from security and waste management to clinical and laboratory operations.

One of the key features of these technologies is the integration of web-based platforms that enhance the usability and accessibility of clinical and administrative modules. This integration facilitates a seamless user experience for both patients and healthcare professionals, improving the efficiency and quality of services provided. The use of comprehensive hospital information management platforms allows for a unified approach to handling modern healthcare facilities' myriad data and process requirements.

Particularly impactful are the specialized systems developed for critical areas such as laboratories and intensive care units. These systems leverage high-security protocols, rich integration capabilities, and real-time data processing to support the digital transformation of laboratory processes and intensive care management. The availability of real-time data is crucial for enabling healthcare professionals to make quick, informed decisions that can significantly affect patient outcomes.

These technologies incorporate learning and self-improving artificial intelligence models that support continuous improvement in healthcare delivery. This AI integration not only aids in decision-making but also ensures adherence to high standards of patient safety and quality.

Additionally, the scalability of these platforms is a critical feature, accommodating healthcare institutions' growth and evolving needs. Whether through customizable interfaces or the development of mobile products and indoor information systems, next-gen technologies are designed to enhance patient-oriented approaches and streamline hospital operations from the ground up. Such systems are essential in supporting healthcare facilities from the design phase through to full operation, ensuring that every aspect of healthcare delivery is optimized for efficiency, security, and compliance with international standards.

Take İnnova’s HICAMP as an example of advanced healthcare technology at work. This 100% web-based hospital information management system provides a secure, robust platform accessible through any web browser, eliminating the need for specialized software. It offers a scalable structure that can be adapted to hospitals of various sizes and complexities. HICAMP facilitates fast adaptation to changes within healthcare campuses or city hospitals, ensuring all components are integrated and operate under a centralized management system.

The impact of platform engineering on healthcare

Cloud-based technologies have significantly enhanced healthcare providers' capability to deliver improved care and expand access to high-quality services. Platform engineers are crucial in ensuring these systems function flawlessly and incorporate robust security measures within the underlying architecture.

Platform engineering enhances agility and optimizes delivery outcomes while integrating essential aspects like security, observability, and compliance. Integrating governance measures, such as HIPAA compliance and reporting, relieves developers from needing to be experts in these areas.

Another advantage of platform engineering is facilitating the adoption and scaling of new technologies. For instance, consider electronic medical records (EMR) systems. Hospitals typically use a unified EMR system across different departments—from emergency rooms to surgical centers—due to the simplicity and efficiency of managing one shared database. Similarly, platform engineering provides a cohesive infrastructure that supports expansive and integrative development.